%, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


2.2 


2.0 


18 


L25  1  1.4      1.6 

•• 6"     

► 

V 


y] 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTIR.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4S03 


'i>  #,  ^     *, 

0  ^'  .,  w 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historlques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographlcally  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


n 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicul^e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~~|    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  marqin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6tt  filmAes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  dtd  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


T 
ti 


r~~|    Coloured  pages/ 


D 


y 


D 


^/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


1 

P 
o 
f 


C 
b 
tl 

s 
o 

fi 

s 
o 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Qualitd  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


T 

si 


N 
di 
ei 
bi 
r\\ 
r« 
n\ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fapon  it 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous 

10X                             14X                             18X                             22X                              26X                            30X 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

MX 

28X 

32X 

lire 

details 
jes  du 

modifier 
jer  une 

filmage 


6es 


The  copy  filmed  hare  has  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Lakehead  University 
Thunder  Bay 

Tha  imagas  appearing  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
pofisibia  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  imprea- 
sion,  or  tha  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaire  fiimi  fut  reproduit  grdca  i  la 
g6nirosit6  da: 

Lakehead  University 
Thunder  Bay 

Las  imagas  suivantes  ont  6x6  reproduitas  avec  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet6  de  l'exemplaire  film*,  at  en 
conformity  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Lea  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couvertura  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmfo  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprainta 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commen^ant  par  la 
pramiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  pdr 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  da  cheque  microfiche,  selon  la 
cas:  la  symbole  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE ',  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ara  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartas,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  i  des  taux  de  rMuction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtra 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film*  A  partir 
da  Tangle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  6  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  an  pranant  le  nombre 
d'imagas  ntcessaira.  Les  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrant  la  mAthoda. 


'  errata 
d  to 

It 

e  pelure, 

:on  d 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

e 

".*'A!-f;.*«»  ■'«•**»■ 


IVhcrr  the  serried  waves  like  charters  madly  leapiui^ 

to  the  fray. 


THE  LEGEND 


OF 


THE  WHITE  CANOE 


BV 


WILLIAM   TRUMBULL 


WITH    I'HOTOIJRAVURKS    FROM    DKSIGNS    IIY 

1'.  V.  Du  MOND 


G.  p.  PUTNAM'S   SONS 

NEW  YORK  LONDON 

117  WBST    IWKNTV-THIRU   STHF.ET  24   IIEDKORU   STREET,    STRAND 

«!:^c  llnicltcrbotltci  ^tt»» 
1894 


4^A\ 


P£ 


COPYRIGHT,  1893 
IIV 

G.  P.    PUTNAM'S   SONS 


'::       t: 


Electnitypeil,  Printeil,  ami  noniid  by 

Ube  Iknicficrbocbcr  |>rcs6,  Dcvo  itforli 

(1.   P.   Putnam's  Sons 


n 


/6^'f 


DEDICATED 

lO 

A.    L.  T.  T. 


m 


I 


Long  before  the  solitudes  of  western  New  York  were  dis- 
turbed by  the  advent  of  the  white  man,  it  was  the  custom  of 
the  Indian  tribes  to  assemble  occasionally  at  Niagara,  and 
offer  sacrifice  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Falls. 

This  sacrifice  consisted  of  a  white  birch-bark  canoe,  which 
was  sent  over  the  terrible  cliff,  filled  with  ripe  fruits  and 
blooming  flowers,  and  bearing  the  fairest  girl  in  the  tribe  who 
had  just  attained  the  age  of  womanhood. 


Jv 


\    1  f 


I 


CONTENTS 


Proem 
Wenonah 
The  Council 

KWASIND 

The  Sacrifice 
Epilogue 


5 

tS 
99 

39 

53 


'.    i' 


.'/ 


[  I 


W 


\ 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 


KUXO  ..o.r  TH.K  S.OWV  CKKSXS  ...  .osS  rHK.K   M...KS  CK   K,.V,^« 

•     .     .    Frontispiece 
...  6 

*      *      *      GRAVE  ATTENTION   HOLUs  THE   BAND 

'•---•C-.MAN  .  S,.EAK,.,  OK  THE  WANT  THKOU.HonT  THE 


*      *      *^  -   ^""«     "«HAM.NO  MEHA.    WHILE    IN   TROUBI.En   SI.EE,.    HE 
CAME   THE^s^IRTT   OK    THE    WATERS,    WREATHE..    IN   I.,EI.OWV    CI.OI-I,s 

lZ::Z:::    "^^^^    '^""'=^^-    ^K,.E.KK.RESSEn.     ANO 
HE   MADE   KNOWN   HIS   TIDINGS   lUTTER      *      *      * 

*      *      *      ONE    MORN,     THE    TREACHEROl's    MEDA      SI  MV     ,.v     „. 

1;NKN0WN   HAND,  '^      HOSTILE 

SLOW    WAS    BORNE   INTo'the    VILLAGE   MV   THE    VOUNC    BR.vr- 

BAND.  ^OLNC.    BRAVES  OK  THE 

vit 


12 


l8 


38 


36 


\.\ 


1Uu0tration0 


*  *      *      DARTING,    noUNniNO   o'eR   the  TIIIE, 

SHOUTING  STRAIGHT  TO  MEET  ITS  FELLOW,  l.O  !   A  SKCONI)  SKIIF  THEY 
SPIED. 

*  *      *      IN   HIS   TENDER,    YEARNING   EYES, 

CLEAR   SHE  READS   THE   PREGNANT   MEANING  OF  THAT  LOVE-WROUGHT 
SACRIFICE. 

SWIFT  BY   FRANTIC    STROKE     IMI'ELl.EI),    IT    INTERCEPTS    IT    NKAR    THE 

liRINK, 
WHERE    IN    STRONG    LOVE     CLASPED     lOGETHER,     FATHER,    DAUGHTER, 

FADING    SINK, 


.48 


50 


54 


(  1 


UpMKBMatinitNMnMMiM 


1         ^» 


■ '/ 


I. 

PROEM. 


N 


.-X, 


M 


ID  the  rush  of  mighty  waters,  in  the  thundering 
cataract's  "roar, 
Where  Niagara's  streaming  rapids  down  in  headlong 

torrent  pour; 
Where  the  serried  waves  like  chargers  madly  leaping 

to  the  fray. 
Fling  aloft  their  snowy  crests  and  toss  their  manes  of 

flying  spray. 
Rearing,  plunging,  onward  urging — Nature's  glorious 

cavalry  ! 
Where  th'  eternal  sweep  of  waters  like  the  unending 

surge  of  time, 
Pulsing,  throbs  in  rhythmic  measure    to    a  wondrous 

strain  sublime  : 
Dwells,  so  ancient   legends  say,  the  mighty  Spirit  of 

the  Falls, 
Who    from    out   the  tumult,  hoarsely,  for  unbounded 

homage  calls. 


•l 


*     *     *     As  often  as  they  listened,  on  the  voices  of  the 

flood. 
Deep  ivere  borne  the  Spirit's  nnitterings,  (all ing  fierce 

for  human  hlood. 


If 


'^ 


w 


W 


Here  the  children  of  the  forest,  spellbound   by  that 

deafening  roar, 
Stopped  to  gaze  with  listening  wonder,  in  the  simpler 

days  of  yore  ; 
Awe-struck,  gazed  in  silent  worship,  well  beseeming 

Nature's  child, 
As  in  chase  they  roamed  the  plain,  or  tracked  in  war 

the  pathless  wild : 
And  as  often   as   they  listened,  on  the  voices  of  the 

flood 
Deep  were  borne  the  Spirit's  mutterings,  calling  fierce 

for  human  blood  ; 
Ay,  and  sacrifice  more  cruel  in  that  cry  they  under- 
stood : 
Gift  of  Nature's  choicest    treasure,    peerless   budding 

womanhood  ! 


i~  I 


if' 


>■  I 


1! 


:%: 


i  f 


f\ 


II. 


WENONAH. 


\  « 


TT'AIREST  of  the  laughing  daughters  by  blue  Sene- 

•■•  ca's  rippling  tide, 

Was  the  Indian  maid,  Wenonah,  sturdy  Kwasind's  joy 

and  pride : 
Eyes  of  laughter,    like  the    sunshine   dancing  in   her 

native  lake, 
O'er  whose  depths,  anon,  Heet  shadows  chasing   cast 

their  trailing  wake ; 
Lips   of   tempting  ruddy   hue   like    mountain    berries 

gleaming  fair; 
Raven  locks,  whose  glossy  lustre  shone  like  dark-stem- 
med maidenhair; 
Whilst  rich  mantling  color  tinged  an  olive  cheek,  whose 

crimson  flush 
Vied  with  flaming  woodland  leaves  when  touched  with 

Autumn's  scarlet  blush. 


m 


She.  /tailed  queen  by  all  the  maieleiis,  led  zvtth  merriest 

quip  and  song. 


•  -i-v^-^Vi-  -wi  -,iw'  ^ 


*>T-V.   !.,..(..     -y.'^^ 


t^'^X  ;•;.■■,, 


i 


And  the  music  of  her  laughter,  when  amid  the  joyous 
throng,  -" 

She,  hailed  Queen  by  all  the  maidens,  led  with  merriest 
quip  and  song, 

Fell  in  sweetest  rippling  cadence,  sounding  thro'  the 

leafy  way  '    \ 

Like  the  purl  of  hidden  brooklet  murmuring  soft  in 

distant  play ; 
As  in  freest  fancy  roving,  far  removed  from  cares  or 

strife, 
With    fresh   eager   zest    exulting  in  youth's  bounding 

sense    of   life. 
Bright   she    moved,   a  winsome    picture,     framed    by 

Nature's  matchless  art 
In  all  scenes  of   joy  and   beauty  royally  to  bear  her 

part. 


Ull 


Yet   to    scenes    of    mirth    not    solely  was    her  sunny 

presence  lent ; 
Truer  was  her  simple  nature,  to  a  nobler  purpose  bent  : 
Only  child  of  widow'd  father,  hers  the  sacred  heritage. 
With  the  charm  of  winning  girlhood,  to  make  bright 

his  lonely  age. 
What  tho'  ardently,    nay  fiercely,   for  her  smiles   the 

young  braves  strove 
In  all  feats  of  savage  daring-none  as  yet  might  claim 

her  love ; 

She,  with  roguish,  artless  spirit,  laughing  in  her  gay 
caprice, 

Found  in  loving,  filial  duty  surer  joys  of  heart-whole 
peace. 


I 


t  \ 


^' 


Just  as  when  some  sturdy  giant  of  the  forest,  bendi 


low, 


ng 


Bows  before  the  axe  and  toppHng  falls  with  mighty 
crashing  blow, 

Clinging  tendrils,  newly  springing  round  the  shattered 
trunk  are  seen 

Swift  to  hide  its  prostrate  ruin  'neath  a  veil  of  living 
green, 

Guarding,    shielding,    closely    nestling    to    their    riven 
parent   stock. 

Like  mute  sentient    creatures  fearful  of  rude  gaze  or 
heedless    mock  : 

So  the  maid  her  lonely  father  tended  with  fond,  jealous 
pride. 

Steadfast,  faithful  to  her  trust,  where  none  might  woo 
her   from    his  side. 


It 


I 


i 


[\ 


.^k. 


{\ 


■'■■  '■''         '. 

i^ 

-  -^ 

:!^^, 

1 

s 

^■■^:  , 

,^. 

5"              i    N 

-ii- 

'■'3  ^ 

Sz* 

■^■<'-          ■ 

"  V    . 

■  M 

V 

: 

^[■y 

,x"^r 

l^h  ' 

,  1 

wr 

.  ^ 

^-* 

1^:'-.       ■ 

if 

^v 

'"'"^l^^iii 

i^ve^fe^-  ^ 

^ 

--^ 

0» ,  ■'^. 

: 

i 

* 

.  -  ■>', 

"k 

i 


\l 


III. 


THE    COUNCIL. 


G 


M 


ATHERED  is  the  warriors'  council.     Thro'  the 
shadows  of  the  night, 
Darkly   gleams  each    dusky   figure  in   the  camp-fire's 

fitful   light. 
Slowly    round   the    silent    circle    moves  the  red-pipe's 

gleaming  bowl, 
Thro'  whose  clouds  each    wreath'd    sage,   peering  the 

dark  future  to  unroll. 
Draws  a  drowsy,  sweet  contentment,  for  the  moment, 

o'er  his  soul. 
Now,  the   brooding  hush  is  broken  ;   grave  attention 

holds   the  band, 
For  the  Med'cine-man  is  speaking  of  the  want  through- 
out the  land ; 
Slow,   in  subtle   craft,  contrasting  with  the  wealth   of 

happier  days 
Present  dearth  of  fish   and   venison,  withering   blight 

upon  their  maize. 

n 


u 


,  '  W 


\  I 


•  > 


: '  W 


Well  he  speaks!    His  halting  manner  but  betrays  the 
deeper  art 

Of   his   cunning  soul    vindictive ;  which   full    oft    had 
conned  this  part, 

Since  that  day  when   in   dim   forest   glade   VVenonah 
spurned  his  quest, 

And  with  flaming  scorn  repelled  the  love  his  suppliant 
words  confessed. 

Little  recked  the  fearless  maiden  in  that  lonely,  fateful 
hour, 

Dark  appeal,  mute,  threatening  gesture,  hints  of  baleful 
fetich  power ; 

For  while   untaught  reason   wavered,    blindly  groping 

toward  the  light, 
Woman's  faultless  intuition  read  his  lying  heart  aright ! 


15 


IV 


\  I 


••,         .« 


h 


I  i 


(■ 


■  / 


\  I 


"Senecas  !    Twice  the  rolling  Autumn,  with  deep-laden 

malice  fraught, 
Years  of  blight  and  wasting  sickness  to  your  golden 

maize  hath  brought. 

Yet  again  the  dread  plague  threatens  !    Speak,  deluded, 
hapless  race, 

Will  ye,   reckless,   longer  trust    th'  uncertain  product 
of   the   chase? 

Hunted,  driven,  the  startled  red  deer,  rteeing,  vanish 
from  your  sight ! 

Hark,  the  cry  of  fenland  wild-geese,  parting  on  their 
southward  flight! 

E'en  your  lake  trout,   lurking  wary,  yield  but  scanty 
livelihood — 

Will  ye  see  your  children  starving  ?     Answer,  Senecas  ! 
Is  it  good  ? 


17 


w 


>  i 


Came  ike  Spirit  of  (he    Waters,  ivreathed  in  billowx 

clouds  of  sprety. 


It 


■ 


Ll. 


i 


1 


"Listen!    To  your  dreaming  Meda.  while  in  troubled 
sleep  he  lay, 

Came  the  Spirit  of  the  Waters,  wreathed  in  billowy 
clouds  of  spray  : 

•Wherefore  do   My  children  shun    Me?     Where   the 
grateful  oftering  rare 

Of  the  maid  and  first-fruits  choicest,  which  they  o'nce 
were  wont  to  bear  ? 

Has  prospcri^.  thus  turned    them  from  the  faith   of 
Simpler  days? 

Let  them  heed,  lest  FAMINE  seal  My  warning  blight 
upon  their  maize  ! ' 

So  He  spake,  with  muttered  thunderings,  leaving  me 
as  one  for  dead. 

Need  I  counsel }     Heed  the  warning  I     Yet  delay  not ! 
— ^I  have  said." 


19 


w 


as 


Ceased  the  speaker,  'mid  a  silence,  chill,  foreboding 
the  grave, 

Save  where  some  sage,  nodding  grayhead  growl  of  half- 
conviction  gave, 

As  at  grim  want's  threatening  horror,  fear,  by  ghastly 
memories  fed,  '   \ 

Woke  to  flame  the  smouldering  embers  of  a  cruel  faith 
nigh  dead; 

Or  perchance,  some  young  brave,  chafing  sore  in  hot, 
rebellious  mood. 

With  the  first  warm  flush  of  manhood  'gainst  a  bygone 
creed  of  blood. 

Carried  past  his  wiser  fellows,  borne  by  love's  impetu 
stream. 

Muttered  curse  both  deep  and  savage  on  the  Meda 
boding  dream  ! 


lOUS 


21 


/ 


\i 


i 


But  all  eyes   were    fixed    on    Kvvasind,    Strong   Man, 

warrior  proved  and  true, 
Whose  brave  heart,  where  others  faltered,  never  fear 

nor  weakness  knew ; 

Hero  of  a  thousand  conflicts,  scarred  in  visage,  proud 
of  mien. 

Foremost  ever  in  rude  battle,  chase,  or  stirring  council- 
scene  : 

And    their  eyes   were    fixed    upon    him    with  a  deep, 

expectant  gaze, 
Watching    for    some    answering     signal    which    their 

sinking  hearts  might  raise  ; 
Hope   and   terror  strangely  blended    in    that   wistful, 

furtive  stare. 

Not    unmixed  with    curious  pity    for  a  father's   mute 
despair! 


23 


I 

r 


\\ 


I.: 


Long  they  sat,  in  silence  waiting.     Neither  word,  nor 

sign,  nor  glance  '    '      —- 

From  the  Sachem   came  in  answer  to  their  wondering 

look  askance. 
— Ah!  the    nameless,  unseen  terror  of  that  shadowy 

Spirit-land,  -    s^ 

With  its  spectral  shapes  and  phantoms, — who  its  power 

can  understand  ? 
Now,  in  sudden  wrath  he  starts  at  thought  of  pity  from 

the  rest, 
Crushes  down    the  welling   tumult   surging   thro'  his 

anguished  breast, 
Cloaks  'neath  stoic,  outward  calm  the  grief  he  struggles 

to  control — 

Lest  perchance  he  may  betray  the  finer  feelings  of  his 
soul ! 


as 


. 


There  he  sits,  all  wrapped  in  silence,  strangely  mute, 

impassive  grown, 
Drawn  each  stern  and  rigid  feature  like  carved  lines  of 

chiselled  stone  ; 
Iron    will   and    haughty   spirit    bravely    answering    to 

repress 
Quivering   lip  and    trembling   eyelid, — signals    of  his 

deep  distress. 
See !  he  meets  their  searching  glance  with  head  erect 

and  flashing  mien  ; 
Slowly  gazes  round  the  assembly  with  unflinching  air 

serene : 
Victor  in  th'  unnatural  conflict ;  love  and  nature,  both 

defied ; 
Slave   to   coward   superstition ;    thrall    of   idle  savage 

pride ! 


87 


li 


^ 


vv 


I 


He  made  kmnun  /us  tidtngs  bitter     * 


!H  # 


1 


(■ 


^,  \ 


'  ' 


I  r 


IV. 
KWASIND. 


/"v. 


NOR  y\ 
in 


OR  when,   once  the  conclave  over,  striding  back 
anger  wild 
To   the   hut,    where  all   unconscious  of  her  fate,   his 

darling  ch-ld 
Rose  to  greet  his  late  home-coming, — did  his  flood  of 

grief  long-pent. 
In  a  bursi-  cf  manlier  feeling  find,  e'en  then,  its  fitting 

vent :  ' 

But  in  tones  of  measured  calmness,  self-repressed,  and 

sternly  brief. 
He  made    known    his    tidings    bitter   to   her   gaze    of 

wondering  grief ; 
Nay,  to  that  grim  ordeal,   harshly,  bade  her  nerve  her 

trembling  frame. 
For  the   welfare  of  her   people,  for  the  honor  of  his 

name ! 


29 


■ 


Yet,  in  lonely  midnight  vigil,  when  beneath  the  unwonted 
stra.n, 

Baffled  nature  rose  rebellious,  throbbing  fierce  in  secret 
pain, 

Vowed  he  threat  of  direst  vengeance,  breathing  forth 

an  ominous  hiss  '' 

'Gainst   the    doting,    idle    dreamer: — "Curse    him,  he 

shall  die  for  this !" 
Or  as  tenderer  feelings,  rushing  with  tumultuous  ebb 

and  roll. 

Stirred  to  ruth  the  deep  recesses  of  his  inmost  troubled 

soul. 
Pity  for  her  youth  and  beauty,  doomed  thus  soon  to 

fade  and  die. 
Found  expression  mute  yet  touching,  in  a  long-drawn 

secret  sigh. 


31 


Or  he  dwelt  on  her  obedience,  on  her  silent  fortitude. 
Bowing  to  his  will  submissive,  'neath  a  blow  so  harsh 
and  rude  : 

And  it  called  to   mind  her   mother,  gentle   slave   of 
days  long  fled, 

Slain,  alas !  in  hostile  foray  ere  her  noon  of  life  had 
sped.  \ 

How  might  she  have  met  this  trial  ?-What  her  thought 
of  him,  who  must 

In  the  pride  of  false  endurance,  thus  betray  a  father's 
trust? 

Till  proud  spirit,  bowed  in  anguish,  brooding  thro'  the 
silent  night, 

Staggered   'neath   the   strong   temptation    of  a  swift, 
inglorious  flight. 


33 


J    . 
1 

:l       _ 

i 

! 

'^ 

1-         ■            i. 

' 

1 

X      .                           .            . 

!\ 

''          ''  . 

- 

-        :'- 

Then,    a   sterner   mood    returning,    pride  resumed  its 
wonted  sway ; 

Bade  him  heed  the  tribe's  opinion  ;  pictured  what  his 
braves  might  say : 

While  he  strove,  with  specious  reasoning,  which  he  well 
knew  for  a  lie. 

To  assuage  the  qualms  of  conscience— outraged  nature's 
stifled  cry  ! 

Her  obedience  ?— but  th'  expression  of  a  flattered  vanity 

At  the  tribute  of  the  council's  silent  unanimity  ! 

Or  if  here,  too,  justice  triumphed,  muttered  with  con- 
temptuous thought : 

"  After  all,  she  's  but  a  woman  !  "—and  in  this  a  respite 
sought. 


35^ 


V,        « 


S/ozi<  ioits  bo}-Jic  into  the  village  by  the    young  braves 

of  the  banel. 


. « 


I 


/f 


41 


So  the  days  dragged  slowly  onward,  days  of  strife  and 
varying  mood,  . 

As  he  watched  her  steadfast  bearing  from  his  gloomy 
solitude  : 

And  one  morn,  the  treacherous  Meda,  slain  by  hostile, 
unknown  hand, 

Slow  was  borne  into  the  village  by  the  young  braves  of 
the  band. 

None  mistrusted   sullen    Kwasind,   when   the  funeral 
throng  drew  nigh,  / 

Or,  at  least,  none  cared  to  question  with  that  scowling 
warrior  by. 

But  th-  event  was  soon  forgotten  'mid  the  press  of  other 
calls. 

And  the  stir  of  preparation  for  their  long  march  to  the 
Falls. 


in 


37 


V. 


\\ 


THE  SACRIFICE. 

COME,  at  length,  the  fatal  evening — for  such  pur- 
pose, all  too  soon  ! 
— On  a  scene  of  matchless  glory  slow  uprose  the  harvest 

moon :         . 
Crested  wave  and  shimmering  islet,  bathed  in  flood  of 

golden  light,  • 

Caught  and  threw  its  tremulous  radiance  far  adown  the 

wind-kissed  night ; 
Soft  the  mellow  moonbeams  glinting  thro'  the  leaves 

on  isle  and  shore, 
Spread  beneath,  their  quivering  fretwork,  interlaced  with 

shadows  o'er ; 
Now,  the  full  orb's  splendor  shining,  woke  to  brilliant 

glistening  play 
Myriad  hues  of  emerald  richness,  showers  of  sparkling 

diamond  spray. 


39 


w 


On  the  cliffs  beyond  the  cataract,  ranged  like  sentinels 
on  high, 

Giant  trees  stood  darkly  shadowed,  spectre-like  against 

the  sky  ; 
Far  beneath,  the  seething  river,    wrapped   in  deepest 

midnight  gloom. 
Flowed  with  cruel,  swirling  torrent  thro'  the  gorge— a 

fitting  tomb  ! 
While,    like   ponderous   portal 3   clanging  'twixt   these 

scenes  of  death  and  life, 
Boomed   the   Falls,  their  bellowing  echoes  telling  of 

a  ceaseless  strife  ; 
Riven,  torn  in  wildest  fury,  lashed  to  foam  and  clouds 

of  spray,  V; 

Like   some   clamorous    monster   raging   for   its   long- 
expected  prey. 


41 


11 


\-      *- 


w 


From  the  shore,  in  jarring  discord  with  the  spirit  of  the 

hour, 
Shouts    of    revelry    invaded    its   sublime,    mysterious 

power :  .   ^ 

Man,  the  slave  of  passions  rude,  in  superstition's  yoke 

enthralled,  \, 

Marred  the  face    divine   of    Nature,  by  her  grandeur 

unappalled. 
— There    they    danced    in    wild    carousal,    thro'    that 

glorious  moonlit  night, 
Love  and  friendship  all  forgotten,  in  their  orgies'  fierce 

delight ; 
Thinking  thus,  poor  simple  children,  best   the    dread 

wrath  to  assuage 
Of  that  Spirit  dark,  whose  roaring  told  of  boundless, 

sullen  rage. 


43 


w 


Hark!  a   distant   shout.       Swift    following,    comes    a 

momentary  hush. 
Then,  their  ill-timed  revels  quitting,  to  the  river's  bank 

they  rush : 

Up  the  stream  all  eyes  are  straining,  toward  yon  faintest 
speck  of  white, 

Where  the  frail  birch  onward  dancing,  flashes  in  the 
moon's  pale  light ; 

Large,  now  larger,  grows  the  object ;  till  at  length  the 
kneelinor  form 

Of  a  maid  is  seen,  her  tresses  blowing  wildly  in  the 
storm  ; 

Clasped  her  hands,  her  lips  half-parted,  staring  down 
the  angry  stream 

As  if  spellbound  by  the  horror  of  some  hideous  night- 
mare dream  ! 


48 


w 


At    that   sight,   their    spell    is   broken.      Cheer   rever- 
berates on  cheer, 

Till  the  answering  banks  re-echo  like  a  scoffing,  mocking 

jeer.  , 

Louder   still    their    cries   redouble,    as   the   skiff   with 

frightful  lunge  '  ,<- 

Leaps  in  where  the  steadier  current  gathers  for  its  final 
plunge. 

Passed  the  head  of  low-crowned  Iris  !     ^  una  gleams  ! 

But  what  is  this  ? 
Why  this  stillness,  broken  only  by  the  thunder  of  th' 

abyss  ? 

Why  this  sudden  pause  from  shouting,  and  that  swift- 
averted  gaze 

To  yon  point  where,  circling,  eddying  past  the  shore, 
the  current  plays  ? 


47 


II  M 


I 


>"  \ 


/ 


u  *t 


S hoofing  straight  to  meet  /us  Jvllo-a\  lo  !  a  second  skiff 

they  spied. 


i 


; 


Leaping  from  the  mainland  outward,  darting,  bounding 

o'er  the  tide, 
Shooting   straight    to   meet   its    fellow, — lo  !  a   second 

skiff  they  spied. 
Mark  the  dripping  blade  flash  brightly,  scattering  drops 

of  silver  light, 
As  the    shallop    plunges,    lurches,    forward   urged   by 

desperate  might ! 
See  !  it  nears  ;  they  strike  ! — Defiant,  stands  a  swaying, 

stalwart  form ; 
Poises  high  the  useless  paddle;  hurls  it  at  the  ravening 

storm ! 
While  an  arm  protecting,  shielding,  round  the  startled 

maid  is  flung  : — 
"'T  is  her  father  !  Kwasind  !  Kwasind  !"  bursts  in  frenzy 

from  the  throng. 


49 


In  his  tender,  yearnhig  eyes, 
Clear  •  she  reads  the  pregnant   meaning  of  that   love- 
tvrought  sacrifice. 


T 


!.:l 


Iff 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 
^ 


A 


A 


/  4. 


<? 


L^ 


7a 


1.0 


I.I 


IfflllM  IIM 
!S  [f  IIM 
^  ■-  IIM 


1.25  ■  1.4 


m 

1.6 


V] 


v^ 


'^ 


/: 


s 


«V^ 


7 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


V 


% 


s 


:\ 


\ 


o^ 


4^ 


«-  «?, 


p 


f 


V 


\l 


111 


V 


~^ 


-1 


r       '- 


n 


Ay,  t   was  Kwasind!     Love    fn„n,r.K     . 

i^ove,  triumphant  over  everv 
fear  and  doubt,  ^ 

Love  W^„„„  .he  fina,  vicory.  p„„i„,  .ubbo™  pride 

By  that  one  brief  glance  at  meetin,,  in   his  tender 
yearning  eyes, 

Clear  she  reads  the  pregnant  meaning  of  .hat  love- 

wrought  sacrifice :— 
Not  forgotten,  not  forsaken,  in  that  ionely,  bitter  hour! 
The  ,  tho    certam  death  await  her,  answering  to  his 

love  s  Strong  power 
Leaps  the  light  of  new-born  gladness  in  her  eyes  r_ 

With  qujckened  breath 
Clasped  as  one,  they  pass  ;he  portal  to  the  shadowy 
realm  of  death.  ^ 


s 


51 


VI. 


EPILOGUE. 


A 


ND  in  after  years,  at  nightfall — still  the  Indian 
legends   say — 
When  each  swift  revolving  Autumn  brings  again  that 

fatal  day, 
From  Niagara's  brow,  a  shallop  thro'  the  dusk  is  seen 

to  glide, 
Stemming  with  unwavering  course  the  mighty  flood's 

on-rushing  tide ; 
Till,  a  jutting  headland  reached,  it  swerves,  and  nears 

the  northern  strand. 
Where  a  slight  form,  dimly  shadowed,  on  the  bank  is 

said  to  stand : 
There,  its  strange  freight  once  embarked,  it  veers,  and 

downward  thro'  the  night 
Bears  the  spectral,  kneeling  figure  of  a  maiden  robed 

in    white. 


S3 


1 

i 


■  ■'1 
.i? 


Where  in  strong  love  clasped  together ,  father,  daughter, 

fading  sink. 


I 


\l 


■•^U^ftH-V*. 


I\ 


I 


A 


I 


t 


1 1 


M 


f 


And    as   often   as   the    phantom    nears    the    head    of 
Luna's   shores, 

From  the  bank,  another  shallop  leaps  to  meet  its  gliding 
course ; 

Swift  by  frantic  stroke  impelled,  it  intercepts  it  near  the 
brink, 

Where  in  strong  love  clasped  together,  father,  daughter, 
fading  sink  : 

And  as  surely  as  they  vanish,  louder  roars   the   Spirit 
gray  ; 

Higher  yet,  like  incense  rising,  waft  the  rolling  clouds 
of  spray ; 

Whilst  the  moon,  her  pale  face  veiling  high  in  Autumn's 

cloud-flecked  skies. 
Mourns  the  unending  expiation  of  that  cruel  sacrifice. 


XV 


55 


